RFP

Planning Board Attorney

City of Union City Request for Proposals From Law Firms Interested in Serving as “ Planning Board Attorney” of the City of Union City For One Year From July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018

Introduction
Pursuant to the Fair and Open Process described under N.J.S.A. 19:44A-1, et seq., the City seeks Requests for Proposals (“RFP”) from law firms licensed to practice law in the State of New Jersey that wish to provide counsel and litigation services to the City and its Planning (“Board”) as directed by the Corporation Counsel, the Board or other appropriate official within the City for a contract period beginning on July 1, 2017 and ending on June 30, 2018. The successful firm must have significant experience in representing New Jersey municipal planning boards in land use matters. If awarded a contract, your company/firm shall be required to comply with the requirements of N.J.S.A. 10:5-31 et. seq. and N.J.A.C. 17:27. The successful firm will provide the City and/or the Board with legal guidance relating to, but not necessarily limited to:

2. Represent the City and/or the Board in land use matters in federal and state courts and administrative forums when there is a conflict with the planning board attorney;

3. Review, analyze and advise the Board on any applications before it when there are conflicts with the Planning Board attorney;

4. Review and/or draft land use resolutions and ordinances if there are conflicts;

5. Attend meetings of the Board when there are conflict matters;

6. Attend meetings of the City Commissioners and/or Board Committees upon request; and

7. Any other matters as directed by the City or the Board.

8. The vendor shall provide monthly billing statements that include a brief statement showing the original amount of the Contract, any increases established by amendment to the Contract, the amount previously billed under the Contract, and the total amount of unbilled funds remaining available under the Contract, and the total amount of unbilled funds remaining available under the Contract after deduction of the most recent amount billed. A copy of each billing statement shall be made available to the State Fiscal Oversight Officer upon request.

Each candidate shall submit proof of business registration with the New Jersey Division of Taxation (P.L. 2004, C.57) and must comply with the Affirmative Action requirements contained at N.J.A.C. 17:27 et seq.

Professional Information and Qualifications
Copies of this standardized submission requirements and selection criteria are on file and available from the Office of the City Clerk. Each interested firm shall submit the following information:

1. Name of Firm;

2. Address of principal place of business and all attorneys or firm’s offices and corresponding telephone and fax numbers. Please note specifically which attorneys will be assigned to work with the City;

3. Areas of Practice;

4. Description of firm’s attorneys’ education, experience, qualifications, number of years with the firm and a description of their experience with projects similar to those described above;

6. At least four (4) references, three (3) of which must have knowledge of your representation of New Jersey municipal planning boards;

7. Examples of your record of success representing New Jersey municipal planning boards;

8. The firm’s ability to provide the services in a timely fashion (including staffing, familiarity and location of key staff);

9. Cost details, including the hourly rates of each of the individuals who will perform the services and the time estimates for each individual, all expenses, and where appropriate, total cost of “not to exceed” amount. The City will pay no more than $150.00 per hour for attorney services.;

10. Statement of corporate ownership (c.52:25-24.2); and

11. Disclosure of Investment Activities in Iran Form (c. 52:32-55, et seq.); and

12. Statement, see attached, executed by a corporate officer, member, partner or sole proprietor certifying that there are no prior or pending ethics complaints against them or their company.

Selection Criteria

The selection criteria used in awarding a contract or agreement for professional services as described herein shall include:

1. Qualifications of the individuals who will perform the tasks and the amounts of their respective participation;

2. Experience and references;

3. Ability to perform the task in a timely fashion, including staffing and familiarity with the subject matter; and

4. Cost competitiveness.

Submission Requirements

Sealed RFPs will be publicly opened by the Union City Clerk in his offices at Union City Hall, 3715 Palisade Avenue, Union City, at 10:45 a.m. on June 14, 2017. The RFP must be received no later than 3:45 p.m. on June 13, 2017 by: